Progressing Upward!

After being on a monotonous plateau for weeks on end, I can excitedly say that we have achieved some forward progression.

With a twinkle in my eyes and goose bumps on my arms, I am elated to report that my daughter can definitely hear better! I have had nothing monumental or even note worthy to share about her implant journey for 5 or 6 weeks. However, I am now busting at the seems to give God the glory on three specific happenings within the past few weeks.

Just two weeks ago, Adam was in his room making some boy noises while playing with his Legos. Victoria was reading in the family room, which is approximately 25 feet from his room. After a few moments, she asked what the noise was. I had to stop and listen and then commented that it was probably the humming from the ceiling fans. She seemed puzzled but went on reading. She then insisted that it couldn't be the fans and asked where Adam was. When I told her he was in his room playing, she stated that she heard him making noises! I was shocked considering the distance to his room. When Adam came out of his room, she asked him if he was making noises with his mouth. He sheepishly answered yes and wanted to know how she knew that. SHE HEARD HIM!!

Episode number two...Victoria was at home alone while I was with Adam at guitar lessons on Tuesday. In a panic, she began texting me to tell me that she heard a very loud popping sound. It eventually frightened her since she had no idea what the sound was or where it was coming from. The texting went on for 5-10 minutes as I tried to assure her that it was probably the freezer or the ice maker. She even called me asking if I could hear it through the phone. Finally, with much glee in her words, she texted me to say she had found the sound - it was my crockpot lid "popping" since it had moisture around the edges! I was flabbergasted when I walked into the kitchen and heard the sound myself. Why, you ask? Because it wasn't loud or irritating or scary. I just cannot believe she heard that from her bedroom and considered it loud!

She is also more aware of environmental sounds and actually asking me what they are - a definite positive step in the right direction!

Okay - are you ready?

Here we go for the grand finale. Sit down for this one because you'll want to stand and scream "GLORY" after you read this!

We were at a friend's house in the kitchen while Victoria was in their family room watching a movie. She could not see me at all. I wanted to ask her a question, so I called her name. I expected her to answer me and then, like normal, she would have to come into the kitchen to see what I wanted. However, this time proved to be different. I called her name and she answered, "What?" Then I asked, "Are you crocheting?" She responded with a no. Then I said, "Well, you need to crochet that white flower for the headband so that it will be ready for tomorrow." In case you didn't catch that last sentence - that was a LOT of words for a deaf person to hear AND understand. Remember, she can't even see my body much less read my lips. Bear in mind that this has never, ever happened before. Here comes the GLORY part - not only did she hear me AND understand me, but she answered me with, "Ok, I will make it when this movie is over." ARE YOUR GRASPING THIS???

The four of us at the table just sat there for a second in disbelief and complete amazement - I just had a two-person dialog with my deaf daughter from another room! The goose bumps were huge on my arms and then I realized...she has finally accepted the implants. She is embracing them and utilizing them to their fullest capacity.

It was worth it.

Patience and perseverance did shine through - and with vibrant colors!I am so very proud of my little princess. So hard to imagine that God loves her more than I do!

Traditions!!

I absolutely LOVE traditions.

I love old ones.

I love flexible ones.

I love new ones.

I love the ones shared with friends and family

And I love the ones with just our family of five.

A very special lady in our life, whom the kids reverently call Nap Nanny, gave us this tiny tree with 12 little boxes and 12 miniature ornaments as a means for a countdown to Christmas about 10 years ago. It holds a very special place in our heart - not only because of whom the giver was, but also, the memories that have taken place because of this little tree.

With a creative mindset, my husband and I began to think of ideas to make the implementation of this new tradition fun filled and memorable. Over the past 10 years, we have tweaked it so much that you never know what to expect from year to year (which is part of the fun as well!) One year, we took the paper chain idea and wrote activities on every piece of paper. Each night a child ripped off a chain and read what the activity was. Sometimes it was as simple as watching a movie at home with the lights out while eating popcorn. As the kids got older, the activities began to change to bowling, ice skating, driving around to look at Christmas lights, watching a Christmas musical or play at another church, playing a newly bought game, etc. When we were home together, we also ate dinner by candlelight - no matter what was served! Such fun memories we have made over the years. Last year I added a new twist to our countdown. I made sure each stocking had 12 small items in them (always $5 or under) and each night after dinner or our family festivities, the kids were allowed to reach into their stocking and try to guess what they felt before pulling it out! Although they highly enjoyed the 12 nights of surprises, everyone agreed that they didn't want this tradition to continue since their stockings were completely empty on Christmas morning!

A new tradition I started last year which I will continue is something I found on Pinterest (which I will blog about my addiction to this new craze later!) It's very simple that will bring lots of smiles. Every time something memorable, exciting or just plain note worthy happens, write it down on a small piece of paper with the date. Fold it and then drop it in a glass jar. That's about it - I told you it was too simple! Do this all year long and then on December 31st (or whatever end of the year date you pick), grab the family with some Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice and take turns pulling out a piece of paper and reading what it says. I took our little tradition to Ohio this year so that we could do it with the grandparents - what better way to reminiscence about the wonderful things that happened during the year while catching them all up to speed. We spent almost 2 hours and had a lot of "oh, I forgot about that" and "remember how funny that was!" The kids are already saying, "Did you write that down for the jar?" Big clue that the activity was a hit!

I could write a 5-page blog on traditions that have come and gone and ones that will never leave us. I believe it's what keeps the family together. What better way to make your heart smile than to pass something so special from your childhood onto your children.

Just remember - when first starting a tradition, be flexible. If no one is enjoying it, then be ready to make changes or ditch the idea completely! You certainly don't want any bad family traditions!

I would love to hear from each of you - what are some of your favorite family traditions? Ones that you grew up with or some that you have started with your family. I absolutely adore stealing ideas, so please do share!

Do You Know Your Expiration Dates?

I found this on Simple Saving Savvy and found it to be very helpful. You can find the entire list here:


With help from experts and product manufacturers, Real Simple compiled a guide to specific product expiration dates. These dates are offered as a rough guideline. The shelf life of most products depends upon how you treat them.

Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) Household cleaners also do best in a dry place with a stable temperature. After the dates shown, beauty and cleaning products are probably still safe but may be less effective.

Here are a few of the most common household items that coupon users tend to stockpile and guidelines for how long they can be stored and consumed.

Dried pasta – 12 months
Frozen vegetables – Unopened: 18 to 24 months (Opened: 1 month)
Ketchup – Unopened: 1 year (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Marshmallows – Unopened: 40 weeks (Opened: 3 months)
Mayonnaise – Unopened: Indefinitely
Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Mustard – 2 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Olive oil – 2 years from manufacture date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Peanut butter, natural – 9 months
Peanut butter, processed – Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 6 months; refrigerate after 3 months
Rice, white – 2 years from date on box or date of purchase
Salad dressing, bottled – Unopened: 12 months after “best by” date (Opened: 9 months refrigerated)
Tea bags – Use within 2 years of opening the package
Air freshener, aerosol – 2 years
Bleach – 3 to 6 months
Dish detergent, liquid or powdered – 1 year
Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered – Unopened: 9 months to 1 year (Opened: 6 months)
Bar soap – 18 months to 3 years
Bath gel, body wash – 3 years
Body lotion – 3 years
Hair Care Products – 2 to 3 years
Deodorant – Unopened: 2 years (Used: 1 to 2 years)
For antiperspirants, see expiration date
Foundation, oil-based – 2 years
Foundation, water-based – 3 years
Lip balm – Unopened: 5 years (Opened: 1 to 5 years)
Mascara – Unopened: 2 years (Opened: 3 to 4 months)
Mouthwash – Three years from manufacture date
Nail polish – 1 year
Nail-polish remover – Lasts indefinitely
Perfume – About two years. To get more mileage out of a perfume, resist the temptation to display a pretty bottle on your vanity. Instead, stash it away in a cool, dark place.
Facial Moisturizer – 12 months after first use